Gellhorn pessary with removal feature

Abstract

A Gellhorn pessary includes a body including a base and a stem extending therefrom. A finger-pull is associated with the body and is adapted to receive at least one finger of a user to facilitate removal of the Gellhorn pessary. The finger-pull is moveable between an open orientation that facilitates removal of the Gellhorn pessary and a retained orientation in which it is retained relative to the stem of the Gellhorn pessary.

1 . A Gellhorn pessary comprising:
 a body comprising a base and a stem extending therefrom; and   a finger-pull associated with the body and adapted to receive at least one finger of a user to facilitate removal of the Gellhorn pessary,   wherein said finger-pull is moveable between an open orientation that facilitates removal of the Gellhorn pessary and a retained orientation in which it is retained relative to the stem of the Gellhorn pessary.   
     
     
         2 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 1 , wherein the finger-pull comprises a substantially V-shaped supporting web hingedly connected with the base of the Gellhorn pessary and a loop extending from the V-shaped supporting web. 
     
     
         3 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 2 , wherein the stem of the Gellhorn pessary comprises a solid tapered shaft and a distal knob, said distal knob preferably comprising a tab on an underside thereof, said tab adapted to receive a distal portion of said loop and thereby retain said finger-pull relative to said stem in the retained orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 3 , wherein the distal end of said loop has a concave form. 
     
     
         5 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 2 , wherein said base comprises a recessed portion on an upper surface thereof, said recessed portion adapted to receive said V-shaped supporting web when said finger-pull is in said retained orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 5 , wherein said recessed portion comprises at least one, preferably two opposing tabs adapted to retain said V-shaped supporting web in said recessed portion, the tabs of said recessed portion preferably extending from lateral sides of said recessed portion. 
     
     
         7 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 2 , wherein said finger-pull is a unitary structure formed from a resilient polymeric material, the loop being flexible between a planar orientation relative to said V-shaped supporting web, in the open orientation, and a perpendicular orientation relative to said V-shaped supporting web, in the retained orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises a plurality of drainage apertures, preferably wherein said stem comprises a central hole extending through the length of the stem. 
     
     
         9 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 1 , wherein the base of said body comprises a drainage port extending from an underside of said base, at an angle through said base of the Gellhorn pessary, to an opening preferably at a base of said stem. 
     
     
         10 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 1 , wherein said finger-pull comprises a plurality of drainage outlets, preferably, said drainage outlets formed as apertures, for example circular apertures, and/or a longitudinal slit. 
     
     
         11 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the Gellhorn pessary is a unitary piece of material, preferably formed from silicone. 
     
     
         12 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 1 , wherein the body and finger-pull are formed from silicone. 
     
     
         13 . The Gellhorn pessary of  claim 1 , wherein said Gellhorn pessary is a unitary device formed from a one-mould process.